Automatic bread producing machine

ABSTRACT

An automatic bread producing machine includes, in a baking chamber, a vessel unit having a bread vessel where a mixing vane for mixing bread ingredients is rotatably provided and a cylindrical bread vessel support fixed to an underside of the bread vessel. The bread vessel support has stoppers formed on the lower circumference thereof. The machine further includes a vessel mounting support mounted at the bottom of the baking chamber for receiving therein the bread vessel support. The vessel mounting support has cutouts formed at its circumferential wall for receiving and firmly holding the stoppers, respectively. Recessed portions are further formed at the circumferential wall of the vessel mounting support for guiding the stoppers to positions adjacent to the corresponding cutouts, respectively. Each cutout is provided adjacent to a lower end of the recessed portion and at one side of the recessed portion located in a rotation direction of the mixing vane. Each stopper is automatically received and locked in position in the corresponding cutout due to a rotation force of the mixing vane so that the vessel unit is automatically fixed relative to the vessel mounting support. While the stoppers are locked in position, an upper surface of each stopper engages with an upper wall surface of the corresponding cutout. The upper surfaces of each stopper and cutout are so shaped as to urge the vessel unit downward during rotation of the mixing vane.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/918,803 , filed Aug. 26,1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,572, which is a divisional application ofapplication Ser. No. 08/530,631, filed Sep. 20, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No.8,694,832.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an automatic bread producing machinewhich automatically produces bread once the given ingredients are set inthe machine.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The conventional bread producing machine of this type has, in general, astructure like one shown in FIG. 24. In FIG. 24, numeral 1 denotes achassis mounted at a bottom of a lower case 3. An upper case 2 ismounted onto the lower case 3 so as to cooperatively form a body of thebread producing machine. In the machine body, a baking chamber 4 isformed above the chassis 1. The baking chamber 4 accommodates therein abread vessel 6 in which the given ingredients of bread are set. Thebread vessel 6 is formed of die-cast aluminum. An essentiallycylindrical bread vessel support 8 is provided at a bottom of the breadvessel 6.

As shown in FIG. 25, the bread vessel support 8 has fixed ribs 7integrally formed on the lower circumference thereof for preventingrotation of the bread vessel support 8 and thus the bread vessel 6.Specifically, at a bottom of the baking chamber 4 is fixedly provided avessel mounting support 10 of an essentially cylindrical shape whichreceives therein the bread vessel support 8. The vessel mounting support10 has, on its inner circumferential wall. protruding portions 10a uponwhich the fixed ribs 7 of the bread vessel support 8 are arranged toabut so as to prevent rotation of the bread vessel 6 relative to thevessel mounting support 10. The bread vessel 6 has a hub opening at acenter of its bottom for receiving therethrough a rotation shaft 9a. Therotation shaft 9a has one end inside the bread vessel 6 at the bottomthereof, onto which a mixing vane 9 is detachably mounted for mixing thebread ingredients put in the bread vessel 6. The rotation shaft 9a hasthe other end outside the bread vessel 6, onto which a driven-sideconnector 9b is mounted. The driven-side connector 9b engages with adriving-side connector 38b mounted onto a rotation shaft 38a of a pulley38 which is connected to an output shaft of a motor 5 via a belt 20.Accordingly, a torque of the motor 5 is transmitted to the mixing vane 9via the pulley 38, the driving-side connector 38b and the driven-sideconnector 9b. FIGS. 26A and 26B are perspective views for showing thedriven-side and driving-side connectors 9b and 38b, respectively.

In the foregoing structure, when a load applied to the mixing vane 9 isincreased, the driven-side connector 9b tends to run over projections,each having a triangular cross-section, of the driving-side connector38b so that the bread vessel 6 tends to move upward. In order to preventthis upward movement of the bread vessel 6 so as to ensure the normalstable engagement between the driven-side and driving-side connectors 9band 38b, fixing springs 11 are provided to firmly press the bread vessel6 at an upper end thereof as shown in FIG. 27. In FIG. 27, each of thefixing springs 11 is formed of an elastic steel wire and includes a step11a for receiving the upper end of the bread vessel 6. The fixing spring11 has one end fixed to an inner surface of a surrounding wall of thebaking chamber 4 by means of a proper mounting fixture 12, such as ascrew. The fixing spring 11 has the other end protruding outward throughan opening 4a formed at the surrounding wall of the baking chamber 4.Accordingly, when mounting the bread vessel 6 in the baking chamber 4,each of the fixing springs 11 first abuts against the outer periphery ofthe bread vessel 6 so as to deflect in a direction A. When the breadvessel 6 is placed in position, each fixing spring 11 is restored so asto receive the upper end of the bread vessel 6 at the step 11a.

Referring back to FIG. 24, a heater 14 is arranged in the baking chamber4 for heating the bread vessel 6. A temperature sensor 15 is furtherarranged in the baking chamber 4 for monitoring a temperature of thebread vessel 6. Numeral 16 denotes an outer lid with an inner lid 17 foropening and closing the baking chamber 4 relative to the exterior.Numeral 18 denotes an operation panel for a user to manually set abaking time, start cooking and the like. The operation panel 18 includesa control unit for controlling energization of the motor 5 and theheater 14 based on temperature data monitored by the temperature sensor15, time data and others so as to automatically execute processes ofmixing, aging, fermenting and baking. Numeral 19 denotes a capacitor fordriving the motor 5.

FIG. 28 shows another example of the conventional bread producingmachine. wherein a battery, such as a coin-shaped lithium battery, isprovided for backup protection of a microcomputer and maintaining afunction of a clock. In FIG. 28, the same or like components arerepresented by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 24.

In FIG. 28, a chassis 1 firmly holds a plate-metal body 22 of themachine at its lower end in cooperation with a bottom plate 21 in asandwiched manner. In the machine body 22, a baking chamber 4 having aheater 14 therein is formed above the chassis 1. The baking chamber 4accommodates therein a bread vessel 6 in which the given ingredients ofbread are set. The bread vessel 6 is detachably mounted onto a vesselmounting support 10 in a sandwiched manner. A rotation shaft having anupper end mounted with a mixing vane 9 and a lower end mounted with adriven-side connector 24 is rotatably supported at the center of thebottom of the bread vessel 6. The driven-side connector 24 engages witha driving-side connector 26b mounted onto an upper end of a rotationshaft 26a which is rotatably supported by the vessel mounting support10. The shaft 26a has a lower end mounted with a large pulley 27 which,in turn, is connected to a small pulley 28 via a belt 20. The smallpulley 28 is mounted onto an output shaft of a motor 5 which is fixed toan underside of the chassis 1. Accordingly, the mixing vane 9 is rotatedby the driving torque from the motor 5. Numeral 23 denotes a lid foropening and closing the baking chamber 4 relative to the exterior.

A power supply board 29 is an electric drive circuit board for supplyingpower to the heater 14 and the motor 5 and fixed on the chassis 1 via aboard base 30 formed of resin. A microcomputer board 31 is an electriccircuit board for outputting control commands to electronic elements,such as a triac and a relay, which perform switching operations for theheater 14 and the motor 5. The microcomputer board 31 is connected tothe power supply board 29 via a cable 32 and held in a receiving section33 provided in a cover 34 of the machine. Further, the microcomputerboard 31 is provided with a crystal oscillator and a liquid-crystaldisplay for showing time and an ongoing cooking process. Numeral 35denotes a battery board in the form of a paper phenol laminate having acoin-shaped lithium battery fixed thereon. The battery board 35 isconnected to the microcomputer board 31 via leads 36 and held by aholder 37 which is fixed to the cover 34 by means of a screw. The screwis inserted through an opening formed at the cover 34.

When the machine starts to be operated with the bread ingredients put inthe bread vessel 6, the microcomputer board 31 controls the operationsof the heater 14 and the motor 5 so that the machine executes, in order,processes of mixing, aging and fermenting of bread dough, and then heatsthe inside of the baking chamber 4 up to a high temperature of 150°C.˜230° C. for baking bread. The microcomputer board 31 is normallyoperated with power which is supplied via the plug-socket connection. Onthe other hand, when the plug is disconnected from the socket, power issupplied to the microcomputer board 31 from the battery board 35 formaintaining the stored data and the clock function.

In the former bread producing machine, however, in order to stably holdthe bread vessel 6 in the baking chamber 4, no play is substantiallyprovided between the bread vessel 6 and each fixing spring 11, and thepressing force of each fixing spring 11 is set to be large. This makesit difficult to set the bread vessel 6 in position against the pressingforce of the fixing springs 11, and further makes it difficult to detachthe bread vessel 6 from within the baking chamber 4. Accordingly, forexample, such problems are likely to occur that, when mounting the breadvessel 6 with the given bread ingredients put therein, the breadingredients spill over the bread vessel 6 due to an extreme force beingapplied to the bread vessel 6, and that the machine is operated whilethe bread vessel 6 is not properly positioned in the baking chamber 4.As a result, the bread is not well baked to waste the bread ingredients,and portions of the machine are subjected to damages due to, forexample, thermal deformation. Further, for locking the bread vessel 6relative to the vessel mounting support 10, the fixing springs 11 andthe mounting fixtures 12, such as the screws, are additionally required,with the openings 4a further required at the surrounding walls of thebaking chamber 4 for allowing the corresponding ends of the fixingsprings 11 to pass therethrough. This increases the number of the partsof the machine and the number of the assembling processes of themachine, leading to the increased cost of the machine.

On the other hand, it is necessary to provide certain gap or play in theconnection between the bread vessel support 8 and the vessel mountingsupport 10 for easily mounting and detaching the bread vessel 6 onto andfrom the vessel mounting support 10. Thus, while the mixing vane 9 isrotated and performs the mixing process to prepare the bread dough,every time the bread dough in the bread vessel 6 rolls and hits an innerwall surface of the bread vessel 6, the bread vessel support 8 alongwith the bread vessel 6 moves relative to the vessel mounting support 10so that corresponding sounds are generated between the bread vesselsupport 8 and the vessel mounting support 10, and further creakingsounds are generated between the fixing springs 11 and the correspondingwalls of the baking chamber 4. These sounds in operation are very noisy.

Further, the optimum mixing degrees of the bread dough differ dependingon kinds of bread and ingredients. However, since a mixing strengthprovided by the mixing vane 9 can not be adjusted, the mixing degree canonly be adjusted by adjusting a mixing time. This makes it difficult toachieve the optimum mixing process, and further, inevitably changes acooking time.

Moreover, in the latter bread producing machine, when changing thebattery, it is necessary that the battery board 35 be replaced entirely.This lacks handiness and leads to a high cost for changing the battery.Further, when a liquid, such as water, invades the cover 34 through theopening for mounting the holder 37, the battery board 35 is subjected toa leak due to the invaded water, thereby unable to provide the backupprotection for the microcomputer and maintain the clock function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved automatic bread producing machine.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a bread producingmachine comprises a baking chamber provided therein with a heater; abread vessel provided in the baking chamber and having therein a mixingvane which rotates in one direction for mixing a bread ingredient; abread vessel support having an essentially cylindrical shape andprovided at an underside of the bread vessel in a fixed relationshipthereto; a vessel mounting support for holding the bread vessel support;a motor for driving the mixing vane; and a control unit for controllingenergization of the heater and the motor, wherein the bread vesselsupport has a plurality of stoppers provided on circumference thereof,and the vessel mounting support has recessed portions for guiding thestoppers, respectively, and engaging portions for engaging with thestoppers, respectively, wherein each of the engaging portions isprovided at a side of the corresponding recessed portion located in arotation direction of the mixing vane with respect to the correspondingrecessed portion, and wherein each of the stoppers and each of theengaging portions have upper surfaces, respectively, which engage witheach other during rotation of the mixing vane and each of which is inthe form of an inclined surface.

It may be arranged that each of the upper surfaces is in the form of aninclined flat surface.

It may also be arranged that one of the upper surfaces is in the form ofan inclined flat surface and the other of the upper surfaces is in theform of a curved surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a bread producingmachine comprises a baking chamber provided therein with a heater; abread vessel provided in the baking chamber and having therein a mixingvane which rotates in one direction for mixing a bread ingredient; abread vessel support having an essentially cylindrical shape andprovided at an underside of the bread vessel in a fixed relationshipthereto; a vessel mounting support for holding the bread vessel support;a motor for driving the mixing vane; and a control unit for controllingenergization of the heater and the motor, wherein the bread vesselsupport has a plurality of vertical fixed ribs provided on circumferencethereof, and each of the fixed ribs has a stopper which projects in atangential direction of the circumference of the bread vessel support,wherein the vessel mounting support has recessed portions for engagingwith the fixed ribs, respectively, and engaging portions for engagingwith the stoppers, respectively, and wherein each of the engagingportions is provided at a side of the corresponding recessed portionlocated in a rotation direction of the mixing vane with respect to thecorresponding recessed portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a bread producingmachine comprises a baking chamber provided therein with a heater; abread vessel provided in the baking chamber and having therein a mixingvane for mixing a bread ingredient; a bread vessel support having anessentially cylindrical shape and provided at an underside of the breadvessel in a fixed relationship thereto; a vessel mounting support forholding the bread vessel support; a motor for driving the mixing vane;and a control unit for controlling energization of the heater and themotor, wherein the bread vessel support has a plurality of stoppershaving different heights and provided on circumference thereof, whereinthe vessel mounting support has recessed portions for guiding thestoppers, respectively, and engaging portions for engaging with thestoppers, respectively, and wherein the recessed portions have differentdepths corresponding to the different heights of the stoppers so as toallow the bread vessel support to be received in the vessel mountingsupport only in a given positional relationship thereto.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a bread producingmachine comprises a baking chamber provided therein with a heater; abread vessel provided in the baking chamber and having therein a mixingvane for mixing a bread ingredient; a bread vessel support having anessentially cylindrical shape and provided at an underside of the breadvessel in a fixed relationship thereto; a vessel mounting support forholding the bread vessel support; a motor for driving the mixing vane;and a control unit for controlling energization of the heater and themotor, wherein the bread vessel support has a plurality of stoppershaving different widths and provided on circumference thereof, whereinthe vessel mounting support has recessed portions for guiding thestoppers, respectively, and engaging portions for engaging with thestoppers, respectively, and wherein the recessed portions have differentwidths corresponding to the different widths of the stoppers so as toallow the bread vessel support to be received in the vessel mountingsupport only in a given positional relationship thereto.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a bread producingmachine comprises a baking chamber provided therein with a heater; abread vessel provided in the baking chamber and having therein a mixingvane for mixing a bread ingredient; a vessel mounting support forholding the bread vessel; a motor for driving the mixing vane; and acontrol unit for controlling energization of the heater and the motor,wherein the bread vessel has an essentially rectangular horizontal-crosssection and includes a vertical rib protruding on an inner wall surfaceof the bread vessel, wherein the vertical rib is provided as beingoffset from a center of the inner wall surface in one of rotationdirections of the mixing vane, and wherein the rotation direction of themixing vane is switchable.

It may be arranged that a plurality of vertical fixed ribs are providedon circumference of an essentially cylindrical bread vessel supportprovided at an underside of the bread vessel in a fixed relationshipthereto, and each of the fixed ribs has a stopper which projects in atangential direction of the circumference of the bread vessel support,that half of the stoppers project in one of the rotation directions ofthe mixing vane and the remaining half of the stoppers project in theother of the rotation directions of the mixing vane, and that the vesselmounting support has recessed portions for engaging with the fixed ribs,respectively, and engaging portions for engaging with the stoppers,respectively.

It may also be arranged that a plurality of stoppers are provided oncircumference of an essentially cylindrical bread vessel supportprovided at an underside of the bread vessel in a fixed relationshipthereto, and the vessel mounting support has recessed portions forguiding the stoppers, respectively, and engaging portions for engagingwith the stoppers, respectively, that the engaging portions are providedat both sides of each of the recessed portions with respect to therotation direction of the mixing vane, and that an upper surface of eachof the stoppers which is engageable with the corresponding engagingportion has a shape which is symmetrical.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a bread producingmachine comprises a baking chamber provided therein with a heater; abread vessel provided in the baking chamber and having therein a mixingvane which rotates in one direction for mixing a bread ingredient; abread vessel support provided at an underside of the bread vessel in afixed relationship thereto; a vessel mounting support for holding thebread vessel support; a motor for driving the mixing vane; a controlunit for controlling energization of the heater and the motor; and afixing member, having an asymmetric shape, for holding the bread vesselat a given upper portion only at one side of the given upper portionlocated in the rotation direction of the mixing vane.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a bread producingmachine comprises a mounting body accommodating therein a control unit;a battery for supplying electric power to the control unit; and abattery holder mounted with the battery, wherein the mounting body hasan opening and the battery holder along with the battery is mounted intothe mounting body through the opening.

It may be arranged that a given rim portion of the battery holder is soextended as to hit a rim of the opening when the battery holder isinserted into the opening reversely, whereby the battery holder isunable to be inserted to a given normal mounting position.

It may also be arranged that the battery holder is mounted and detachedrelative to the mounting body with an essentially linear motion throughthe opening, and that the battery holder is held by an internalstructure of the mounting body at the opening and further held at theopening by means of a stopper provided on the battery holder.

It may also be arranged that the holding of the battery holder by meansof the stopper is released by a force which is orthogonal to mountingand detaching directions of the battery holder relative to the mountingbody.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a bread producingmachine comprises a control circuit for controlling bread producingprocesses; a receiving section for holding the control circuit; a coverfor accommodating therein the receiving section; a battery for supplyingelectric power to the control circuit; and a battery holder for mountingthe battery thereon, wherein the cover has an opening and the batteryholder is mounted and detached relative to the cover through theopening, and wherein the battery holder is held between the receivingsection and the cover.

It may be arranged that battery terminals are provided for connectionbetween the battery and the control circuit and each of the batteryterminals have a cut-turnover portion, that ribs each having a fittingportion and bosses are disposed on an outer periphery of the receivingsection, and that each of the battery terminals is held between thebosses and the cut-turnover portion of each battery terminal is fittedinto the fitting portion of the rib so that the battery terminals arefixed relative to the receiving section.

It may also be arranged that positive and negative terminals areprovided for contacting positive and negative electrodes of the batteryand for connection to the control circuit, and each of the positive andnegative terminals have an essentially [-shape, and that the positiveand negative terminals are arranged at an angle of 60° to 120°therebetween.

It may also be arranged that a chassis is provided for mounting thereona baking chamber and a drive circuit board, the cover being arrangedabove the drive circuit board, and that a water receptacle is furtherprovided between the cover and the drive circuit board and just belowthe opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood more fully from the detaileddescription given hereinbelow, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a bread producing machineaccording to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a mounting operation of a vessel unitonto a vessel mounting support according to the first preferredembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for showing an engaging state between a stopper of abread vessel support of the vessel unit and a cutout of the vesselmounting support when the vessel unit is locked relative to the vesselmounting support, according to the first preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a positional relationshipbetween the bread vessel support and the vessel mounting support whenthe vessel unit is locked relative to the vessel mounting support,according to the first preferred embodiment, wherein FIG. 4A is a planview of the bread vessel support with a bread vessel of the vessel unitshown by imaginary lines and FIG. 4B is a plan view of the vesselmounting support;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for showing an engaging slate between a stopper of abread vessel support of a vessel unit and a cutout of a vessel mountingsupport when the vessel unit is locked relative to the vessel mountingsupport, according to a second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for showing an engaging state between a stopper of abread vessel support of a vessel unit and a cutout of a vessel mountingsupport when the vessel unit is locked relative to the vessel mountingsupport, according to a modification of the second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a mounting operation of a vessel unitonto a vessel mounting support according to a third preferred embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for showing an engaging state between a stopper of abread vessel support of the vessel unit and a cutout of the vesselmounting support when the vessel unit is locked relative to the vesselmounting support, according to the third preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining a positional relationshipbetween a bread vessel support and a vessel mounting support when avessel unit is locked relative to the vessel mounting support, accordingto a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG.9A is a plan view of the bread vessel support with a bread vessel of thevessel unit shown by imaginary lines and FIG. 9B is a plan view of thevessel mounting support;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a positional relationshipbetween a bread vessel support and a vessel mounting support when avessel unit is locked relative to the vessel mounting support, accordingto a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG.10A is a plan view of the broad vessel support with a bread vessel ofthe vessel unit shown by imaginary lines and FIG. 10B is a plan view ofthe vessel mounting support;

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a mountings operation of a vesselunit onto a vessel mounting support according to a sixth preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams for explaining a positional relationshipbetween a bread vessel support of the vessel unit and the vesselmounting support when the vessel unit is locked relative to the vesselmounting support, according to the sixth preferred embodiment, whereinFIG. 12A is a plan view of the bread vessel support with a bread vesselof the vessel unit shown by imaginary lines and FIG. 12B is a plan viewof the vessel mounting support;

FIG. 13 is a diagram for showing an engaging state between a stopper ofa bread vessel support of a vessel unit and a cutout of a vesselmounting support when the vessel unit is locked relative to the vesselmounting support, according to a seventh preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 is a diagram for showing an engaging state between a stopper ofa bread vessel support of a vessel unit and a cutout of a vesselmounting support when the vessel unit is locked relative to the vesselmounting support, according to a modification of the seventh preferredembodiment;

FIG. 15A is a plan view showing a mounted state of a bread vesselaccording to an eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15B is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship betweenthe bread vessel and a fixing spring;

FIG. 15C is a sectional view taken along line A--A in FIG. 15A;

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view of a bread producing machineaccording to a ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view, seen from below, showing a cover or amounting body of the bread producing machine according to the ninthpreferred embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a diagram, seen from below, for showing a structure in thecover of the bread producing machine according to the ninth preferredembodiment:

FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams, respectively, for explaining mountingand detaching operations of a battery holder relative to the coveraccording to the ninth preferred embodiment;

FIG. 20A is a front view showing the battery holder;

FIG. 20B is a sectional view taken along line a--a in FIG. 20A;

FIG. 21 is a diagram for showing a mounting structure of a batteryterminal of the battery holder according to the ninth preferredembodiment;

FIG. 22 is a vertical sectional view of a bread producing machineaccording to a tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a main part of the bread producingmachine according to the tenth preferred embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional bread producingmachine;

FIG. 25 is a partial sectional view of the conventional bread producingmachine shown in FIG. 24 for showing a driving mechanism of a mixingvane;

FIGS. 26A and 26B are perspective views for showing a driven-sideconnector and a driving-side connector, respectively, which areincorporated in the conventional bread producing machine shown in FIG.24;

FIG. 27 is a partial sectional view of the conventional bread producingmachine shown in FIG. 24 for showing a mechanism for preventing anupward movement of a bread vessel; and

FIG. 28 is a vertical sectional view of another conventional breadproducing machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be describedhereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

A first preferred embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

In FIGS. 1 to 4, numeral 40 denotes a chassis on which a plate-metalbody 41, a motor 42, a baking chamber 43 and a vessel mounting support44 are mounted. Rotation of the motor 42 is transmitted, via a smallpulley 45 and a belt 46, to a large pulley 47 and further to adriving-side connector 48. The large pulley 47 and the driving-sideconnector 48 are both mounted on a rotation shaft 56a which is rotatablysupported by the vessel mounting support 44 via a bearing.

In the baking chamber 43, a bread vessel 54 formed of die-cast aluminumis mounted for receiving bread ingredients therein. The bread vessel 54is provided at its underside with a bread vessel support 55 which isalso formed of die-cast aluminum. The bread vessel 54 and the breadvessel support 55 are separate members which are fixed to each other toform a vessel unit 51. A further rotation shaft 56b extends through thebread vessel support 55 and is rotatably supported by a bearing 58.Numeral 57 denotes an oil seal for sealing around the rotation shaft56b. The rotation shaft 56b has one end inside the bread vessel 54 at abottom thereof, onto which a mixing vane 50 is detachably mounted. Therotation shaft 56b has the other end outside the bread vessel 54, ontowhich a driven-side connector 49 is mounted. The driven-side connector49 engages with the driving-side connector 48. Accordingly, the rotationof the motor 42 transmitted to the driving-side connector 48 asdescribed above is finally transmitted to the mixing vane 50 via thedriven-side connector 49 and the rotation shaft 56b for enabling themixing vane 50 to mix the bread ingredients put in the bread vessel 54.In the baking chamber 43 are further provided a heater 52 for heatingthe bread vessel 54 and a temperature sensor 53 for monitoring atemperature in the baking chamber 43.

The bread vessel support 55 has a tapered cylindrical shape and an innersurface of the circumferential wall of the vessel mounting support 44has a corresponding tapered shape for facilitating fitting of the breadvessel support 55 into the vessel mounting support 44. The bread vesselsupport 55 has a plurality of (four in this embodiment) stoppers 59integrally formed on the lower circumference thereof. As shown in FIGS.2 and 3, the vessel mounting support 44 has a plurality of (four in thisembodiment) cutouts 60 at its circumferential wall for receiving andfirmly holding the stoppers 59 of the bread vessel support 55,respectively. Tapered recessed portions 61 are further formed on theinner surface of the circumferential wall of the vessel mounting support44 for guiding the stoppers 59 to positions adjacent to thecorresponding cutouts 60, respectively. Each of the cutouts 60 isprovided adjacent to a tapered lower end of the corresponding recessedportion 61 and at one side of the corresponding recessed portion 61located in a rotation direction of the mixing vane 50 with respect tothe recessed portion 61. Each of the cutouts 60 has an upper wallsurface which is flat and inclined downward from the recessed portion 61in the rotation direction of the mixing vane 50. Each of the stoppers 59also has an inclined flat upper surface for matching the inclined flatupper surface of the corresponding cutout 60. Accordingly, as seen inFIG. 3, when the stopper 59 is received in the corresponding cutout 60,their upper surfaces come in contact with each other. As furtherappreciated from FIG. 3, since entrance sides of each recessed portion61 and each cutout 60 are set large, each stopper 59 can be easilyreceived in and guided by the recessed portion 61 and further easilyreceived in the cutout 60. Further, since a size of the stopper 59 isset notably smaller than the cutout 60, the stopper 59 can be easilyreleased from the cutout 60.

Numeral 62 denotes a handhold which is pivotally mounted on an upperside of the bread vessel 54, and numeral 63 an outer lid with an innerlid 64 for opening and closing the baking chamber 43 relative to theexterior. Numeral 66 denotes an operation panel for a user to manuallyset a menu and a baking time, start cooking and the like. The operationpanel 66 includes a control unit 65 for controlling energization of themotor 42 and the heater 52 based on temperature data monitored by thetemperature sensor 53, time data and others so as to automaticallyexecute processes of mixing, aging, fermenting and baking.

Now, how to set the vessel unit 51 in the baling chamber 43 will bedescribed hereinbelow.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, when the vessel unit 51 with the breadingredients set in the bread vessel 54 is lowered in the baking chamber43, the stoppers 59 of the bread vessel support 55 are received in thecorresponding tapered recessed portions 61 from the enlarged entrancesides thereof and guided by the recessed portions 61 due to weight ofthe vessel unit 51. The vessel unit 51 is lowered until a lower end ofthe bread vessel support 55 abuts upon a stepped bottom (see FIG. 1) ofthe vessel mounting support 44 so that each stopper 59 is locatedadjacent to the entrance side of the corresponding cutout 60.

Subsequently, when the operation panel 66 is manually operated to startthe mixing process, since the upper contacting or engaging surfaces ofeach of the stoppers 59 and each of the cutouts 60 are in the form ofthe flat surfaces each inclining downward in the rotation direction ofthe mixing vane 50 and each stopper 59 is notably smaller than thecutout 60, the vessel unit 31 is easily turned in a locking direction,that is, in the rotation direction of the mixing vane 50, due toresistance caused upon hitting of the bread ingredients against an innersurface of the bread vessel 54. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, each stopper59 is automatically received and locked in position in the correspondingcutout 60 and thus the vessel unit 51 is automatically fixed relative tothe vessel mounting support 44.

As appreciated, the vessel unit 51 can also be fixed to the vesselmounting support 44 by holding the handhold 62 and turning it in thelocking direction.

Since mixing and degassing of the bread dough are performed by rotatingthe mixing vane 50 only in one direction and thus the vessel unit 51 isexerted with torque only in the locking direction, each of the stoppers59 is prevented from being released from within the corresponding cutout60. Further, as appreciated, the vessel unit 51 can be easily detachedfrom the vessel mounting support 44 by holding the handhold 62 and thenturning it in an unlocking direction which is opposite to the foregoinglocking direction. Further, since the upper engaging surfaces of each ofthe stoppers 59 and each of the cutouts 60 are in the form of the flatsurfaces each inclining downward in the locking direction, when themixing process of the bread ingredients starts, a component of torqueduring the mixing process is applied to the upper contacting surface ofeach stopper 59 in a direction to urge the vessel unit 51 downward.Accordingly, the vessel unit 51 can be locked relative to the vesselmounting support 44 more reliably as compared with the foregoing formerbread producing machine where the bread vessel is simply pressed by theforce of the fixing springs. Further, the noisy operation sounds duringthe mixing process can be largely reduced.

As described above, according to the foregoing first preferredembodiment, the vessel unit 51 is automatically fixed relative to thevessel mounting support 44 while being biased downward due to weight ofthe vessel unit 51 and the rotation force of the mixing vane 50, thatis, the driving force of the motor 42. Accordingly, the mounting anddetaching operations of the vessel unit 51 are largely improved so thatthe problems, such as the failure in cooking and the damages to theparts of the machine, which would have been otherwise caused, can beeffectively prevented. Further, as described above, the noisy operationsounds during the mixing process can be greatly reduced. Moreover, sincethe vessel unit 51 can be locked relative to the vessel mounting support44 only by means of the engagement between the bread vessel support 55and the vessel mounting support 44, the additional parts, such as thefixing springs and the mounting screws, which were conventionallyrequired, can be omitted to reduce the number of the parts of themachine and the number of the assembling processes of the machine,leading to reduction in cost of the machine.

As shown in FIG. 4A, an angular arrangement of the stoppers 59 is notuniform. Specifically, two of the stoppers 59, that is, the right andleft stoppers 59 in FIG. 4A, are arranged as being offset by 10°relative to a uniform angular arrangement thereof. As appreciated fromFIG. 4B, angular arrangements of the recessed portions 61 and thus thecutouts 60 are also offset by 10° relative to uniform angulararrangements thereof, respectively, corresponding to the offsetarrangement of the stoppers 59. Accordingly, the vessel unit 51 can bemounted on the vessel mounting support 44 only in a given positionalrelationship thereto so as to ensure prevention of a mounting error ofthe vessel unit 51.

Second Embodiment

Now, a second preferred embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed hereinbelow.

The second preferred embodiment differs from the foregoing firstpreferred embodiment only in a configuration of the upper engagingsurface of each of the cutouts of the vessel mounting support. The otherstructure is the same as that in the first preferred embodiment.

In FIG. 5, numeral 70 denotes one of four stoppers, corresponding to thestoppers 59, of a bread vessel support corresponding to the bread vesselsupport 55, of a vessel unit corresponding to the vessel unit 51. Likethe stoppers 59, each of the stoppers 70 has a flat upper engagingsurface which is inclined downward in the foregoing locking direction.Numeral 71 denotes a vessel mounting support corresponding to the vesselmounting support 44, numeral 72 denotes one of four cutoutscorresponding to the cutouts 60, and numeral 73 denotes one of fourrecessed portions corresponding to the recessed portions 61. In thisembodiment, each of the cutouts 72 has an upper engaging surface in theform of a curved surface which is convex downward, so as to provide apoint contact between the upper surfaces of the stopper 70 and thecutout 72 rather than a surface contact between the stopper 59 and thecutout 60 as in the first preferred embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the foregoing second preferredembodiment. In this modification, each of cutouts 75 corresponding tothe cutouts 72 has a flat upper engaging surface which is inclineddownward in the foregoing locking direction while each of stoppers 74corresponding to the stoppers 70 has an upper engaging surface in theform of a curved surface which is convex upward, so as to provide apoint contact between the upper surfaces of the stopper 74 and thecutout 75. The other structure is the same as that in the foregoingsecond preferred embodiment.

The second preferred embodiment and its modification both workessentially in the same manner as the foregoing first preferredembodiment so as to automatically lock the vessel unit relative to thevessel mounting support. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, sincethe engagement between the upper surface of each stopper and the uppersurface of the corresponding cutout is in the form of the point contact,even when unevenness is caused in flatness, angle and the like among theupper surfaces of the produced stoppers and cutouts, the vessel unit canbe fixed relative to the vessel mounting support more reliably ascompared with the first preferred embodiment which provides the surfacecontact between the upper surfaces of each stopper and cutout.Accordingly, in the second preferred embodiment and its modification, inaddition to the foregoing advantages provided in the first preferredembodiment, an allowable range of such unevenness among the uppersurfaces of the stoppers and cutouts can be increased.

Third Embodiment

Now, a third preferred embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed hereinbelow.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, numeral 80 denotes a vessel unit including a breadvessel 81 where the bread ingredients are set and a bread vessel support82 having a tapered cylindrical shape. A plurality of fixed ribs 83(only one of which is shown in FIG. 7) are provided on the circumferenceof the bread vessel support 82. Each rib 83 is in the form of anelongate member and extends vertically. Each rib 83 is formed at itslower end with a stopper 84 which projects in a tangential direction ofthe circumference of the bread vessel support 82 and has amountaintop-like tip. The stopper 84 has a flat upper engaging surfacewhich inclines downward to the tip in the foregoing locking direction orin the foregoing rotation direction of the mixing vane 50 (see FIG. 1).The stopper 84 has a lower end having a width which is smaller than awidth of the fixed rib 83. Numeral 85 denotes a vessel mounting supporton which the bread vessel support 82 is mounted. The vessel mountingsupport 85 has a plurality of cutouts 86 at its circumferential wall forreceiving and firmly holding the stoppers 84 of the bread vessel support82, respectively. Tapered recessed portions 87 (only one of which isshown in FIG. 7) are further formed on an inner surface of thecircumferential wall of the vessel mounting support 85 for guiding thestoppers 84 to positions adjacent to the corresponding cutouts 86,respectively. Each of the cutouts 86 is provided adjacent to a lower endof the corresponding recessed portion 87 and at one side of thecorresponding recessed portion 87 located in the rotation direction ofthe mixing vane 50 with respect to the recessed portion 87. Each of thecutouts 86 has an upper wall surface which is flat and inclined downwardfrom the recessed portion 87 in the rotation direction of the mixingvane 50 so as to match the inclined flat upper surface of thecorresponding stopper 84. Accordingly, as seen in FIG. 8, when thestopper 84 is received in the corresponding cutout 86, their uppersurfaces come in engagement with each other. As further appreciated fromFIG. 8, since entrance sides of each recessed portion 87 and each cutout86 are set large, each stopper 84 can be easily received in and guidedby the recessed portion 87 and further easily received in the cutout 86.

The other structure is the same as that in the foregoing first preferredembodiment.

Now, how to set the vessel unit 80 in the baking chamber 43 (see FIG. 1)will be described hereinbelow.

In FIG. 8, a width W of each stopper 84 is set to a value such that,when the vessel unit 80 is raised vertically in the state of FIG. 8where each stopper 84 fully engages the corresponding cutout 86, thestopper 84 slides on the upper surface of the cutout 86 to allowcorresponding rotation of the vessel unit 80. By setting the width W tosuch a value, the vessel unit 80 can be removed from the vessel mountingsupport 85 simply by raising the vessel unit 80 vertically, that is,without intentionally turning the vessel unit 80 in the foregoingunlocking direction or in a direction opposite to the foregoing rotationdirection of the mixing vane 50.

As in the foregoing first preferred embodiment, when the mixing processis started with the bread ingredients set in the bread vessel 81, theinclined upper surfaces of the stoppers 84 and the cutouts 86automatically come into engagement with each other as shown in FIG. 8 sothat the vessel unit 80 is urged downward and locked relative to thevessel mounting support 85 in the vertical direction. Simultaneously,the vessel unit 80 is also locked relative to the vessel mountingsupport 85 in the rotational direction due to the engagement between thefixed ribs 83 and the wall surfaces of the corresponding recessedportions 87.

As appreciated, the offset arrangement shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B may alsoapply to the fixed ribs 83 with the stoppers 84, the cutouts 86 and therecessed portions 87.

As described above, according to the third preferred embodiment, like inthe foregoing first preferred embodiment, the noisy operation soundsduring the mixing process can be greatly reduced, and further, thenumber of the parts of the machine and the number of the assemblingprocesses of the machine can be diminished to achieve reduction in costof the machine. Moreover, the mounting and detaching operations of thevessel unit 80 relative to the vessel mounting support 85 can be greatlyimproved in the foregoing third preferred embodiment.

Fourth Embodiment

Now, a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed hereinbelow.

In FIGS. 9A and 9B, numeral 90 denotes a vessel unit including a breadvessel 91 and a bread vessel support 92. Four stoppers 93 are formed onthe lower circumference of the bread vessel support 92 at uniformangular intervals. On the other hand, a height of each stopper 93 is setto be different from heights of the adjacent stoppers 93, while equal toa height of the opposite stopper 93. Specifically, each of the twostoppers 93 arranged at an interval of 180° has a height A, while eachof the remaining two stoppers 93 arranged at an interval of 180° has aheight B. Numeral 94 denotes a vessel mounting support on which thebread vessel support 92 is mounted. The vessel mounting support 94 has aplurality of cutouts at its circumferential wall for receiving andfirmly holding the stoppers 93 of the bread vessel support 92,respectively. Recessed portions 95 are further formed on an innersurface of the circumferential wall of the vessel mounting support 94for guiding the stoppers 93 to positions adjacent to the correspondingcutouts, respectively. Like the stoppers 93, a depth of each recessedportion 95 is set to be different from depths of the adjacent recessedportions 95, while equal to a depth of the opposite recessed portion 95.Specifically, each of the two recessed portions 95 arranged at aninterval of 180° has a depth C, while each of the remaining two recessedportions 95 arranged at an interval of 180° has a depth D. In FIGS. 9Aand 9B, A<C<B<D is established.

The other structure is the same as that in the foregoing first preferredembodiment.

Since the four stoppers 93 are arranged at uniform angular intervals asdescribed above, the vessel unit 90 can be fixed to the vessel mountingsupport 94 more stably as compared with the offset arrangement, shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, for preventing the mounting error of the vessel unit51. Further, since the heights of the stoppers 93 and the depths of therecessed portions 95 are set in the foregoing manner, if the user triesto mount the vessel unit 90 onto the vessel mounting support 94 in awrong positional relationship thereto, the lower ends of the twostoppers 93 having the height B abut against the upper end of the vesselmounting support 94. Thus, the vessel unit 90 can be mounted only in thegiven positional relationship to the vessel mounting support 94.

As appreciated, the fourth preferred embodiment works essentially in thesame manner as the foregoing first preferred embodiment so as toautomatically lock the vessel unit relative to the vessel mountingsupport. Further, in the fourth preferred embodiment, the vessel unitcan be fixed to the vessel mounting support more stably, with themounting error of the vessel unit being effectively prevented.

Fifth Embodiment

Now, a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed hereinbelow.

In FIGS. 10A and 10B, numeral 100 denotes a vessel unit including abread vessel 101 and a bread vessel support 102. Four stoppers 103 areformed on the lower circumference of the bread vessel support 102 atuniform angular intervals. On the other hand, a width of each stopper103 is set to be different from widths of the adjacent stoppers 103,while equal to a width of the opposite stopper 103. Specifically, eachof the two stoppers 103 arranged at an interval of 180° has a width K,while each of the remaining two stoppers 103 arranged at an interval of180° has a width L. Numeral 104 denotes a vessel mounting support onwhich the bread vessel support 102 is mounted. The vessel mountingsupport 104 has a plurality of cutouts at its circumferential wall forreceiving and firmly holding the stoppers 103 of the bread vesselsupport 102, respectively. Recessed portions 105 are further formed onan inner surface of the circumferential wall of the vessel mountingsupport 104 for guiding the stoppers 103 to positions adjacent to thecorresponding cutouts, respectively. Like the stoppers 103, a width ofeach recessed portion 105 is set to be different from widths of theadjacent recessed portions 105, while equal to a width of the oppositerecessed portion 105. Specifically, each of the two recessed portions105 arranged at an interval of 180° has a width C, while each of theremaining two recessed portions 105 arranged at an interval of 180° hasa width D. In FIGS. 10A and 10B, K<M<L<N is established.

The other structure is the same as that in the foregoing first preferredembodiment.

Since the four stoppers 103 are arranged at uniform angular intervals asdescribed above, the vessel unit 100 can be fixed to the vessel mountingsupport 104 more stably as compared with the offset arrangement shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B. Further, since the widths of the stoppers 103 and thewidths of the recessed portions 105 are set in the foregoing manner, ifthe user tries to mount the vessel unit 100 onto the vessel mountingsupport 104 in a wrong positional relationship thereto, the lower endsof the two stoppers 103 having the width L abut against the upper end ofthe vessel mounting support 104. Thus, the vessel unit 100 can bemounted only in the given positional relationship to the vessel mountingsupport 104.

As appreciated, the fifth preferred embodiment works essentially in thesame manner as the foregoing fourth preferred embodiment.

Sixth Embodiment

Now, a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed hereinbelow.

In FIGS. 11, 12A and 12B, numeral 110 denotes a vessel unit including abread vessel 111 having an essentially rectangular horizontal-crosssection and a bread vessel support 112 having a cylindrical shape. Aplurality of fixed ribs 113 are provided on the circumference of thebread vessel support 112. Each rib 113 is in the form of an elongatemember and extends vertically. Each rib 113 is formed at its lower endwith a stopper 114 which projects in a tangential direction of thecircumference of the bread vessel support 112 and has a mountaintop-liketip. Half of the stoppers 114 project in a normal or forward rotationdirection (clockwise direction in FIGS. 11, 12A and 12B) of the mixingvane 50 (see FIG. 1), respectively. On the other hand, the remaininghalf of the stoppers 114 project in a reverse rotation direction(counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 11, 12A and 12B) of the mixing vane50, respectively. Each stopper 114 has a flat upper engaging surfacewhich inclines downward to the tip. Each of the flat upper engagingsurfaces of the foregoing former half of the stoppers 114 inclinesdownward to the tip in the forward rotation direction of the mixing vane50. On the other hand, each of the flat upper engaging surfaces of theremaining half of the stoppers 114 inclines downward to the tip in thereverse rotation direction of the mixing vane 50. In this embodiment,the stoppers 114 which project in the forward and reverse rotationdirections are alternately arranged around the circumference of thebread vessel support 112. Numeral 115 denotes a vessel mounting supporton which the bread vessel support 112 is mounted. The vessel mountingsupport 115 has a plurality of cutouts 116 at its circumferential wallfor receiving and firmly holding the stoppers 114 of the bread vesselsupport 112, respectively. Recessed portions 117 are further formed onan inner surface of the circumferential wall of the vessel mountingsupport 115 for guiding the stoppers 114 to positions adjacent to thecorresponding cutouts 116, respectively. Half of the cutouts 116 arearranged such that each of them is provided at one side of thecorresponding recessed portion 117 located in the forward rotationdirection of the mixing vane 50 with respect to the recessed portion117, while the remaining half of the cutouts 116 are arranged such thateach of them is provided at one side of the corresponding recessedportion 117 located in the reverse rotation direction of the mixing vane50 with respect to the recessed portion 117. This arrangement of thecutouts 116 corresponds to the foregoing arrangement of the stoppers114. Each of the cutouts 116 has an upper wall surface which is flat andinclined downward from the recessed portion 117 so as to match theinclined flat upper surface of the corresponding stopper 114. Verticalribs 118 are further provided to project on inner surfaces of thelongitudinal walls of the bread vessel 111, respectively. Each rib 118is provided as being offset from the center of the longitudinal wall ofthe bread vessel 111 in the reverse rotation direction of the mixingvane 50. In this embodiment, the rotation direction of the mixing vane50 can be switched manually. Accordingly, the user may switch therotation direction of the mixing vane 50 depending on a kind of bread oringredient.

The other structure is the same as that in the foregoing third preferredembodiment.

Now, an operation of the bread producing machine having the foregoingstructure will be described hereinbelow.

As in the foregoing third preferred embodiment, when the vessel unit 110is raised vertically in the state where the vessel unit 110 is lockedrelative to the vessel mounting support 115, the stoppers 114 slide onthe corresponding upper surface of the cutout 116 to allow correspondingrotation of the vessel unit 110. Accordingly, the vessel unit 110 can beremoved from the vessel mounting support 115 simply by raising thevessel unit 110 vertically, that is, without intentionally turning thevessel unit 110 in its unlocking direction.

When the mixing process is started with the bread ingredients set in thebread vessel 111, the inclined upper surfaces of half of the stoppers114 and the corresponding half of the cutouts 116 automatically comeinto engagement with each other according to the rotation direction ofthe mixing vane 50 so that the vessel unit 110 is urged downward andlocked relative to the vessel mounting support 115 in the verticaldirection. Simultaneously, the vessel unit 110 is also locked relativeto the vessel mounting support 115 in the rotational direction due tothe engagement between the fixed ribs 113 and the wall surfaces of thecorresponding recessed portions 117. Further, since the stoppers 114 arearranged to project in the forward and reverse rotation directions ofthe mixing vane 50 as described above and the cutouts 116 are arrangedcorrespondingly, the vessel unit 110 can be reliably fixed to the vesselmounting support 115 irrespective of the rotation direction of themixing vane 50, that is, whether the mixing vane 50 rotates in theforward or reverse direction.

Further, since each of the ribs 118 is disposed as being offset from thecenter of the longitudinal wall of the bread vessel 111 in the reverserotation direction of the mixing vane 50, the bread dough is more liableto hit the ribs 118 during the forward rotation of the mixing vane 50than during the reverse rotation of the mixing vane 50. Accordingly,during the forward rotation of the mixing vane 50, the bread dough tendsto stay in the corner of the bread vessel 111 just before the rib 118 sothat the bread dough can be mixed to higher degrees than during thereverse rotation of the mixing vane where the bread dough tends toco-rotate with the mixing vane 50. Thus, by switching the rotationdirection of the mixing vane 50 to adjust the mixing strength, thehigh-quality bread dough can be mixed up. For example, when mixing thestrong flour having a high gluten content, the mixing vane is rotated inthe forward direction to mix the bread dough with higher mixingstrength. On the other hand, when mixing the wheatmeal having a lowgluten content with high oxygen activation to inhibit generation ofgluten or the wheatmeal mixed with miscellaneous grains, such ascereals, the mixing vane is rotated in the reverse direction to mix thebread dough with less mixing strength.

As appreciated from the foregoing description, in this embodiment, byswitching the rotation direction of the mixing vane, the mixing strengthcan be adjusted so that the optimum mixing degree of the bread dough canbe achieved depending on a kind of bread or ingredient. Further,advantages like those in the foregoing third preferred embodiment can beachieved irrespective of whether the mixing vane rotates in the forwardor reverse direction.

Seventh Embodiment

Now, a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed hereinbelow.

In FIG. 13, numeral 120 denotes one of four stoppers, corresponding tothe stoppers 59 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), of a bread vessel supportcorresponding to the bread vessel support 55, of a vessel unitcorresponding to the vessel unit 51. Each of the stoppers 120 has anupper engaging surface in the form of a curved surface which is convexupward and symmetrical with respect to a straight line passing thecenter of the upper engaging surface of the stopper 120 laterally.Accordingly, the upper engaging surface of the stopper 120 inclinesdownward both in the forward and reverse rotation directions from theforegoing straight lateral center line. Numeral 121 denotes a vesselmounting support corresponding to the vessel mounting support 44, andnumeral 123 denotes one of four recessed portions corresponding to therecessed portions 61. In this embodiment, a pair of cutouts 122 areprovided at both sides of each recessed portion 123, that is, both inthe forward and reverse rotation directions of the mixing vane 50 withrespect to the recessed portion 123. One of the cutouts 122 provided inthe forward rotation direction of the mixing vane 50 has a flat upperengaging surface which inclines downward in the forward rotationdirection of the mixing vane 50. On the other hand, the other cutout 122provided in the reverse rotation direction of the mixing vane 50 has aflat upper engaging surface which inclines downward in the reverserotation direction of the mixing vane 50. Vertical ribs corresponding tothe ribs 118 (see FIGS. 11 and 12A) are provided in a bread vesselcorresponding to the bread vessel 111 in the same manner as in theforegoing sixth preferred embodiment. Further, the rotation direction ofthe mixing vane 50 can be switched manually as in the sixth preferredembodiment.

The other structure is the same as that in the foregoing first preferredembodiment.

The bread producing machine having the foregoing structure operates asfollows:

As in the first preferred embodiment, when the mixing process is startedwith the bread ingredients set in the bread vessel, the inclined uppersurfaces of the stoppers 120 and the corresponding cutouts 122automatically come into engagement with each other according to therotation direction of the mixing vane 50 so that the vessel unit isurged downward and locked relative to the vessel mounting support 121.Since the upper engaging surface of each stopper 120 is in the form ofthe symmetrical curved surface as described above and the cutouts 122are provided at both sides of each recessed portion 123 as describedabove, all the stoppers 120 are engaged with the corresponding cutouts122 provided in the rotation direction of the mixing vane 50irrespective of whether the mixing sane rotates in the forward orreverse direction. Thus, the vessel unit can be fixed to the vesselmounting support 121 reliably. Further, by switching the rotationdirection of the mixing vane 50, the mixing strength can be adjusted asin the foregoing sixth preferred embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a modification of the foregoing seventh preferredembodiment. In this modification, each of stoppers 124 corresponding tothe stoppers 120 has an upper engaging surface formed by a pair ofinclined flat surfaces which are symmetrical with each other withrespect to a straight boundary line therebetween. The symmetrical flatsurfaces incline downward from their boundary line, respectively, thatis, the upper engaging surface of the stopper 124 inclines downward bothin the forward and reverse rotation directions of the mixing vane 50with respect to the boundary line. The other structure is the same asthat in the foregoing seventh preferred embodiment.

In this modification, since a surface contact is provided between theupper engaging surfaces of the stopper 124 and the cutout 122, thevessel unit can be locked more stably as compared with the foregoingseventh preferred where a point contact is provided between the upperengaging surfaces of the stopper 120 and the cutout 122. On the otherhand, in this modification, the higher dimensional accuracy is requiredfor the upper engaging surfaces of the stopper 124 and the cutout 122.

As described above, in the foregoing seventh preferred embodiment andits modification, by switching the rotation direction of the mixingvane, the optimum mixing degree can be achieved depending on a kind ofbread or ingredient as in the foregoing sixth preferred embodiment.Further, since all the stoppers are engaged with the correspondingcutouts irrespective of whether the mixing vane is rotated in theforward or reverse direction, the vessel unit can be fixed to the vesselmounting support more stably so as to further reduce the operationsounds during the mixing process as compared with the foregoing sixthpreferred embodiment.

Eighth Embodiment

Now, an eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed hereinbelow.

In FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C, numeral 130 denotes a bread vesselcorresponding to the bread vessel 6 in the prior art of FIG. 24. As inthe prior art, the bread vessel 130 is formed at its bottom with acylindrical bread vessel support having fixed ribs 7 which areintegrally formed on the lower circumference thereof for preventingrotation of the bread vessel support and thus the bread vessel 130. Amixing vane 131 is detachably mounted in the bread vessel 130 for mixingthe bread ingredients set therein. The mixing vane 131 is rotated onlyin one direction (clockwise direction) in this embodiment. A pair offixing springs 132 are arranged in a baking chamber 135 corresponding tothe baking chamber 4. Specifically, each of the fixing spring 132 hasone end fixed to an inner surface of a surrounding wall of the bakingchamber 135 by means of a screw 134, and the other end protrudingoutward through an opening 136 formed at the surrounding wall of thebaking chamber 135. Each fixing spring 132 is formed of an elastic steelwire and has an asymmetric shape which is bent three-dimensionally asappreciated from FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C. Each fixing spring 132 isprovided for firmly holding the bread vessel 130 at its stepped portion133, more specifically, only at one side of the stepped portion 133located in the rotation direction of the mixing vane 131. The steppedportion 133 extends horizontally and forms a part of a mounting bracketprovided at an upper end of the bread vessel 130 for pivotally mountingthe handhold. At a bottom of the baking chamber 135 is fixedly provideda vessel mounting support of an essentially cylindrical shape whichreceives therein the bread vessel support for fixing the bread vessel130 relative to the vessel mounting support. The other structure isessentially the same as that in the prior art of FIG. 24.

In this embodiment, since each fixing spring 132 is mounted only at oneside of the stepped portion 133 located in the rotation direction of themixing vane 131, the bread vessel 130 does not run over the fixingsprings 132 very much when setting the bread vessel 130 in the bakingchamber 135. Further, since the resistance due to the pressing force ofeach fixing spring 132 is largely reduced, the mounting and detachingoperations of the bread vessel 130 can be easily achieved. Further,since the mixing vane 131 is rotated only in one direction, the breadvessel 130 can be fixed sufficiently to reduce the operation soundsduring the mixing process only by pressing to hold the foregoing oneside of the stepped portion 133. Moreover, since the fixing spring 132can be reduced in size by half or less as compared with that in theprior art of FIG. 24, the material cost can be reduced.

Ninth Embodiment

Now, a ninth preferred embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed hereinbelow.

In FIGS. 16 to 21 showing the ninth preferred embodiment, the same orlike components are represented by the same reference numerals as thosein FIG. 28 showing the prior art, so as to omit explanation thereof.

In these figures, a microcomputer board 140 is connected to the powersupply board 29 via the cable 32 and held in a receiving section 141 bymeans of claws 142 which hold the rim of the microcomputer board 140. Onthe microcomputer board 140 is provided a liquid-crystal display 163 forshowing an ongoing cooling process, a cooking time and the like. On theouter periphery of the receiving section 141, an L-shaped member 144 isdisposed for guiding a battery holder 143 when setting it into a coveror mounting body 152. Further, on the outer periphery of the receivingsection 141, a positive terminal 146 and negative terminal 147, eachhaving an essentially [-shape, are fixedly provided for supplying theelectric power to the microcomputer board 140 from a coin-shaped lithiumbattery 145. Specifically, each of the positive and negative terminals146 and 147 is held between bosses 149 which are fixed to the outerperiphery of the receiving section 141, and a cut-turnover portion 150of each terminal is engaged with a gate-shaped rib 148 which is alsofixed to the outer periphery of the receiving section 141. As seen inFIG. 21, each boss 149 has a recessed corner, as a fitting portion, intowhich a corresponding corner of the terminal is fitted. Similarly, therib 148 has a recessed portion, as a fitting portion, into which thecut-turnover portion 150 of each terminal is fitted. It is preferablethat the positive and negative terminals 146 and 147 are arranged at anangle of 60° to 120° therebetween for ensuring a proper contact pressureto the battery 145. In this embodiment, an angle between the positiveand negative terminals 146 and 147 is set to 75°. Numeral 151 denotesleads for connection between the positive terminal 146 and themicrocomputer board 140 and between the negative terminal 147 and themicrocomputer board 140, respectively.

The receiving section 141 provided with the microcomputer board 140 andthe positive and negative terminals 146 and 147 as described above hasone end engaged with stoppers 153 of the cover 152 and is fixed to thecover 152 by means of a screw 154. The battery holder 143 holds thebattery 145 by means of claws 155 and 156. The cover 152 or the mountingbody accommodating the receiving section 141 therein is fixed to theplate-metal body 22 by means of screws. The battery holder 143 holdingthe battery 145 is mounted to the cover 152 with a horizontal linearmotion through an opening 157 of the cover 152. While mounted in thecover 152, the battery holder 143 is held between the L-shaped member144 of the receiving section 141 and a wall of the cover 152. Thebattery holder 143 is further held against the rim of the opening 157 bymeans of a pair of depressable stoppers 158 and 159 of the batteryholder 143. Specifically, when mounting the battery holder 143, thestoppers 158 and 159 are automatically depressed by the contact with therim of the opening 157 and then restored to lock the battery holder 143relative to the cover 152. On the other hand, when detaching the batteryholder 143, the user draws out the battery holder 143 horizontally whiledepressing the stoppers 158 and 159. Since each of the stoppers 158 and159 has a stepped shape, the stoppers can be depressed manually at theopening 157 (see FIGS. 19A, 19B). The other structure is the same asthat in the prior art shown in FIG. 28.

In this embodiment, since the battery 145 is mounted to the cover 152via the battery holder 143, when the battery 145 runs out, only thebattery 145 can be changed to reduce the battery changing cost ascompared with the prior art where the battery board with the batterythereon is replaced entirely. Further, since the battery taken out fromwithin the cover 152 is held by the battery holder 143, it is not likelythat the taken-out battery is lost. Further, since the battery changecan be performed only by setting a new battery 145 in the battery holder143 and inserting it into the cover 152, a manual operation using atool, such as a line connecting operation, which was required in theprior art, is not required.

Further, when the user tries to insert the battery holder 143 into theopening 157 of the cover 152 reversely in error, a given rim portion 160of the battery holder 143 is so extended as to hit the rim of theopening 157 so that the battery holder 143 can not be inserted to anormal mounting position in the cover 152. Accordingly, the reverseinsertion of the battery holder 143 can be effectively prevented so asto avoid a leak of the battery or the like, thus ensuring the normaloperation of the machine.

Further, the battery holder 143 is held between the L-shaped member 144of the receiving section 141 and the wall of the cover 152 and furtherheld against the rim of the cover 152 defining the opening 157 by meansof the pair of depressable stoppers 158 and 159. Thus, the batteryholder 143 is securely held in the cover 152 so that positive andnegative electrodes of the battery 145 achieve the stable contacts withthe positive and negative terminals 146 and 147 even when the motor 5rotates to produce vibration during the mixing process of the breadingredients.

Further, for detaching the battery holder 143 from the cover 152, it isnecessary to draw out the battery holder 143 while depressing thestoppers 158 and 159, that is, the two operations are required to beperformed simultaneously. This prevents, for example, a baby from takingout the battery holder 143 and putting the battery 145 into the mouth.Further, it is arranged that a direction of depressing the stoppers 158and 159 and a direction of drawing out the battery holder 143 areorthogonal to each other. This makes it further difficult for the babyto take out the battery holder 143 from the cover 152.

Further, each of the positive and negative terminals 146 and 147 is heldbetween the bosses 149, and the cut-turnover portion 150 of eachterminal is engaged with the gate-shaped rib 148. Accordingly, thepositive and negative terminals 146 and 147 are both prohibited frommoving in any direction so as to be securely fixed to the receivingsection 141. This ensures the reliable contact between the battery 145and the terminals 146 and 147 to prevent an abnormal consumption of thebattery 145 due to increment of contact resistance at their contactpoints caused by contact failure.

Further, when mounting each terminal to the receiving section 141 duringthe assembling process, since a click can be clearly noticed uponengagement of the cut-turnover portion 150 with the gate-shaped rib 148,assembling failure is not likely to occur.

Further, each of the positive and negative terminals 146 and 147 isessentially [-shaped and held by the two bosses 149, each terminal isstably fixed to the receiving section 141. Since the positive andnegative terminals 146 and 147 have the same shape with each other, thereduction in cost can be achieved by commonality of the parts.

Tenth Embodiment

Now, a tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed hereinbelow.

In FIGS. 22 and 23 showing the tenth preferred embodiment, the same orlike components are represented by the same reference numerals as thosein FIGS. 16 to 21 showing the ninth preferred embodiment, so as to omitexplanation thereof.

In this embodiment, as in the foregoing ninth preferred embodiment, themicrocomputer board 140 is held in the receiving section 141 by means ofthe claws 142 which hold the rim of the microcomputer board 140.Adjacent to the receiving section 141, the L-shaped member 144 isdisposed for guiding the battery holder 143 when setting it into thecover or the mounting body 15. On the outer periphery of the receivingsection 141, battery terminals 161 are fixedly provided for supplyingthe electric power to the microcomputer board 140 from the coin-shapedlithium battery 145.

The receiving section 141 provided with the microcomputer board 140 andthe battery terminals 161 has one end engaged with the stoppers 153 ofthe cover 152 and is fixed to the cover 152 by means of the screw 154.The battery holder 143 holding the battery 145 is mounted and detachedthrough the opening 157 of the cover 152.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, a water receptacle 162 having anessentially [-shape in section is fixedly disposed below the receivingsection 141. By providing the water receptacle 162, even when a liquid,such as water, invades the cover 152 through the opening 157, the powersupply board 29 which is a live part on the chassis 1 is prevented fromreceiving the invaded water so that leak and firing can be avoided.Specifically, the invaded water drops into the water receptacle 162 andthen is guided away from the live part so that the invaded water dropsto an end portion of the chassis 1 and then is discharged outside themachine. The other structure is the same as that in the foregoing ninthpreferred embodiment.

In the baking process, an atmospheric temperature in the baking chamber4 is increased up to a high value of 150° C.˜230° C. by the heater 14for baking bread. In this case, without the water receptacle 162, anatmospheric temperature around the coin-shaped lithium battery 145normally becomes about 80° C.˜90° C. In general, the coin-shaped lithiumbattery reduces its life duration by half or so as an ambienttemperature increases by 10° C. Accordingly, the high temperature ofabout 80° C.˜90° C. is, in general, close to a critical value for theuse of the coin-shaped lithium battery. On the other hand, with thewater receptacle 162, since it also works as a thermal insulation plate,an atmospheric temperature around the coin-shaped lithium battery 145 issuppressed to about 70° C.˜80° C., which has been confirmed throughexperiments.

While the present invention has been described in terms of the preferredembodiments, the invention is not to be limited thereto, but can beembodied in various ways without departing from the principle of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bread producing machine comprising:a bakingchamber provided with a heater; a bread vessel configured to fit withinthe baking chamber, wherein the bread vessel includes a mixing vane; amotor for driving the mixing vane when the bread vessel is locatedwithin the baking chamber; a mounting body accommodating therein acontrol unit; a battery for supplying electric power to said controlunit; and a battery holder mounted with said battery; wherein saidmounting body has an opening and said battery holder along with saidbattery is mounted into said mounting body through said opening.
 2. Thebread producing machine according to claim 1, wherein a given rimportion of said battery holder is so extended as to hit a rim of saidopening when said battery holder is inserted into said openingreversely, whereby said battery holder is unable to be inserted to agiven normal mounting position.
 3. The bread producing machine accordingto claim 1, wherein said battery holder is mounted and detached relativeto said mounting body with an essentially linear motion through saidopening, and wherein said battery holder is held by an internalstructure of said mounting body at said opening and further held at saidopening by means of a stopper provided on said battery holder.
 4. Thebread producing machine according to claim 3, wherein the holding ofsaid battery holder by means of said stopper is released by a forcewhich is orthogonal to mounting and detaching directions of said batteryholder relative to said mounting body.
 5. A bread producing machinecomprising:a baking chamber provided with a heater; a bread vesselconfigured to fit within the baking chamber, where in the bread vesselincludes a mixing vane; a motor for driving the mixing vane when thebread vessel is located within the baking chamber; a control circuit forcontrolling bread producing processes; a receiving section for holdingsaid control circuit; a cover for accommodating therein said receivingsection; a battery for supplying electric power to said control circuit;and a battery holder for mounting said battery thereon; wherein saidcover has an opening and said battery holder is mounted and detachedrelative to said cover through said opening, and wherein said batteryholder is held between said receiving section and said cover.
 6. Thebread producing machine according to claim 5, wherein battery terminalsare provided for connection between said battery and said controlcircuit, each of said battery terminals having a cut-turnover portion,wherein ribs each having a fitting portion and bosses are disposed on anouter periphery of said receiving section, and wherein each of saidbattery terminals is held between said bosses and said cut-turnoverportion of each battery terminal is fitted into said fitting portion ofsaid rib so that said battery terminals are fixed relative to saidreceiving section.
 7. The bread producing machine according to claim 5,wherein positive and negative terminals are provided for contactingpositive and negative electrodes of said battery and for connection tosaid control circuit, each of said positive and negative terminalshaving an essentially [-shape, and wherein said positive and negativeterminals are arranged at an angle of 60° to 120° therebetween.
 8. Thebread producing machine according to claim 5, wherein a chassis isprovided for mounting thereon a baking chamber and a drive circuitboard, said cover being arranged above said drive circuit board, andwherein a water receptacle is further provided between said cover andsaid drive circuit board and just below said opening.